Wilkinsons club Newcastle say their star fly-half could be sidelined for several weeks, with the most accurate estimates suggesting he is unlikely to play again before England conclude their autumn programme against Australia on November 27.

Potentially, it leaves Englands recently-appointed head coach Robinson having to find a new skipper and fly-half for appointments with the Wallabies, Tri-Nations champions South Africa and Canadas semi-professionals.

While in-form Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson could slot effortlessly into the number 10 role, leadership duties appear a more complex matter, especially as flanker and captaincy candidate Richard Hill probably wont play again this season.

Wilkinson, 10 games into his top-flight return after recovering from a career-threatening neck and shoulder problem, has suffered a haematoma to his right bicep.

He received a muscle bleed in his upper arm during the start of this season, and then took a blow on the same spot during Newcastles Premiership defeat against Wasps 11 days ago.

Wilkinson had started all seven of Newcastles Premiership games, in addition to pre-season friendlies against Connacht, Munster and Pertemps Bees.

But he will now miss Cup appointments with Newport-Gwent Dragons and Perpignan, and seemingly inevitably, Englands forthcoming Tests.

This is disappointing, conceded Robinson. But we will wait and see how Jonny responds to treatment in the next few weeks. I am not discounting him yet for next months internationals.

Injuries are part of contact sport. Jonny is getting the right treatment, and its a case now of how he responds.

Wilkinson will be monitored by the Newcastle and England medical teams, but it looks as though his legions of fans might be kept waiting until this seasons RBS 6 Nations Championship kicks off in February for a return to international duty.

He spent eight months out this year, and has not played for England since the World Cup final against Australia in Sydney last November.

His injury is the latest setback for Robinson, who has already lost Hill (knee injury) and Lawrence Dallaglio (international retirement).

Hooker Steve Thompson, meanwhile, is battling with a rib problem, while Wasps pair Josh Lewsey and Simon Shaw are among a group of players currently sidelined or just returning from long lay-offs.

Weve received medical advice this week and spoken at length with Jonny, said Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew. As always, we are doing what is in the best interests of the player.

We feel that with every player, weve always done what is right medically, and weve never forced any player into a position which threatens them.

This is unfortunate, following on from Jonnys previous injury, but it is not related at all to that one, and is completely separate.

We will just let him recover over the next few weeks, and then get him back on the field again. We are obviously disappointed that Jonny will be out for a while.